Latest press release – December 11-th, 201211 / 12 / 2012

Ford B MAX wins “AUTOBEST 2013”
“SMARTBEST” to be awarded for the first time

Ford B MAX was voted “AUTOBEST 2013”. With a total of 830 points, the winner overtook Skoda Rapid – no 2 with 736 points and Peugeot 301 coming third, with a total of 662 points. 7 members of the Jury placed B MAX on the first place, 3 members voted Rapid as their no 1, but no one voted first for 301. No less than 5 Jury members placed Fiat 500 L on the first spot, but was only for Italian car to arrive on 4-th place with 638 points. Finally, Dacia Lodgy with 636 points came on 5-th, but extremely close to no 4 and not far from no 3 of the rankings, making the closest bottom – up podium in the AUTOBEST history . (for detailed results, see Final Ranking in Autobest 2013 final ranking)

“ B MAX is a brilliant, intelligent new car. Is the expression of a new breed of products Ford is introducing in Europe and the first car without a B pillar but …with two B pillars in the doors! The quality is impressive and the 1.0 l ecoboost engine – AUTOBEST been the first international Jury who awarded this incredible engine- is completing the portrait of a best buy car. Manufactured in our region, in Ford Craiova plant, Romania. But is also the expression of our new “Next Level” approach philosophy. With B Max we show to European customers that a best buy car can be also cool! ”,Mr. Ilia Seliktar, AUTOBEST President, stated.

With this edition- the 12-th in the Jury history- AUTOBEST organization is introducing a new award. “Years ago the competition in the car industry was along with HP, speed, acceleration and torque. Nowadays the infotainment on board is the new name of the game. AUTOBEST cannot stay outside this game. By contrary, we are introducing the first European award to choose the SMART infotainment on board of our cars. This is probably the award most expected by the consumers now and in the years to come.” said Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST founder and the initiator of this award.

Dacia Media NAV is the winner of “SMARTBEST 2012” for such a simple, intuitive, touch screen based navigation / multimedia system coming to a unbeatable price.

“SAFETYBEST 2012” award is going to VW for the Multicollision brake system introduced in standard on the new Golf 7. Is the first time such a safety advanced system is coming to a compact car, making a step forward in the safety of the car you drive, but also for other vehicles unfortunately involved in the same crash.

Andrew Palmer, the Executive Vice President of Nissan Motor Co is the “MANBEST 2012”. Mr. Palmer proved to be a focused executive on developing Nissan on a global scale, implementing successful strategies and delivering the right products for each region. Mr. Palmer is also responsible for the development of Infiniti brand and for the brilliant marketing the Japanese manufacturer displayed.

“ECOBEST 2012” award is going to Peugeot Citroen PSA for implementing various green technologies on board of Peugeot and Citroen vehicles. “The introduction of microhybrid technologies, the first hybrid diesel ever and the commitment to become the first manufacture with complete range of green vehicles – including scooters and bicycles, been enough arguments to award the French company!”Mr. Ilia Seliktar said.

CHEVROLET WTCC team is the winner of “SPORTBEST 2012” award. “This is also a new expression of our new strategy. Till now, we looked to young talented drivers coming from our region. Under the “Next Level” approach, we scrutiny a larger horizon, including the efforts car industry is doing for motorsport. Chevrolet managed in relatively short period of time to become no 1 from not existing in this sport. We all believe the Chevy team deserve not only our award but the applause of all the motorsports fans” Mr. Ilia Seliktar added.

“COMPANYBEST ”, “TECHNOBEST” and “DESIGNBEST” awards been already announced immediately after Paris Mondial de L’Automobile. (please see www.autobest.org )

In electing the AUTOBEST car winner, the Jury made its decision taking into consideration 13 criteria, each of them counting a specific number of points that reflect a different importance in the final vote of each car. The price, with 50 points out of a total of 240 available to be distributed among the finalists, is the most important. Practical issues, like distribution network, service and spare parts availability, consumption, versatility, count for 20 points each. Other criteria’s, like new technologies, handling, dynamics, environmental friendly, are also coming to a close examination with specific number of available points for each . The design – interior and exterior- evaluated with 40 points, becomes more and more important for the clients everywhere in Europe.

The 12-th edition of AUTOBEST AWARDS FESTIVITY will take place at the beginning of next year in a location to be announced later on. Following the tradition, AUTOBEST International Jury grants the awards in different country every year. Last year, the festivity was held in Prague, Czech Republic.

AUTOBEST Jury thanks the readers from the region for encouraging the project and the PR responsible in the automotive industry for providing all the support in organizing meetings and drive tests of the new products.